Mazda Mazda3 years to avoid
Every Mazda Mazda3 model year on file (2012-2024), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2023
Worst year on file
118.7
Severity index
Power Train
Most-reported system
2012
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023 Mazda Mazda3 | 118.7 High | 12 | Power Train |
| 2 | 2018 Mazda Mazda3 | 79.3 Medium | 108 | Electrical System |
| 3 | 2015 Mazda Mazda3 | 77.3 Medium | 129 | Service Brakes |
| 4 | 2024 Mazda Mazda3 | 68.7 Medium | 12 | Electrical System |
| 5 | 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | 66.8 Medium | 102 | Electrical System |
| 6 | 2022 Mazda Mazda3 | 65.3 Medium | 24 | Air Bags |
| 7 | 2014 Mazda Mazda3 | 61.7 Medium | 138 | Unknown Or Other |
| 8 | 2013 Mazda Mazda3 | 61.3 Medium | 117 | Exterior Lighting |
| 9 | 2021 Mazda Mazda3 | 59.7 Medium | 49 | Engine |
| 10 | 2017 Mazda Mazda3 | 50.8 Medium | 83 | Unknown Or Other |
| 11 | 2019 Mazda Mazda3 | 46.5 Medium | 74 | Unknown Or Other |
| 12 | 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 46.2 Medium | 32 | Forward Collision Avoidance |
| 13 | 2012 Mazda Mazda3 | 43.9 Low | 226 | Power Train |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Mazda Mazda3 complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 226 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 43.9 Low | POWER TRAIN |
| 2013 | 117 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 61.3 Medium | EXTERIOR LIGHTING |
| 2014 | 138 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 61.7 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| 2015 | 129 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 77.3 Medium | SERVICE BRAKES |
| 2016 | 102 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 66.8 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2017 | 83 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 50.8 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| 2018 | 108 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 79.3 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2019 | 74 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 46.5 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| 2020 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 46.2 Medium | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE |
| 2021 | 49 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 59.7 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 65.3 Medium | AIR BAGS |
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 118.7 High | POWER TRAIN |
| 2024 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 68.7 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.